Anybody else following this? Anybody have any idea what the heck was going on in last night's episode? Who was the dead guy John brought out of the hotel room?

I've tried to give this a chance since it replaced The Sopranos, the cast is pretty good and it's nice to see Al Bundy, Deadwood's Charlie Utter, and Sideshow Luke Perry in something. And I like the surfing montage set to Joe Strummer's "Johnny Appleseed" that opens the show.

But I dunno, this one is too out there to hold me for much longer unless something real interesting happens soon. And while the sex and language didn't bother me in Deadwood and The Sopranos, it seems out of place in a show that appears to be about a Christ figure, whether it's literally or figuratively. And after last nights episode it looks like it's going to be literally.

And yikes, what happened to Jennifer Grey? You may not be able to put Baby in a corner, but you sure can give her so much plastic surgery that she can go from unusual-but-hot-looking to utterly unrecognizable and forgetable.

So that was Jennifer Grey as the lawyer's fiance?! I never would have guessed! I'm enjoying the series but I'll be damned if I can explain last night's episode. If you look at the IMDb page it would appear that this may only be a six episode "series". I have certainly enjoyed seeing so many actors from Deadwood show up in this series (wasn't that "Trixie" last night in the internet cafe? I've counted at least 5 others) and agree that Ed O'Neill has been particularly outstanding - but maybe 6 episodes will be enough. And what's that danged water tower that John keeps looking at?

If you look at the IMDb page it would appear that this may only be a six episode "series".

I saw a "making of" segment on the show on HBO late last nite. It didn't really answer any questions, but it did have David Milch saying most questions would be answered by the end of the season. It didn't mention there would be only 6 episodes though.

. . . But I dunno, this one is too out there to hold me for much longer unless something real interesting happens soon.I got the same feeling from Carnivale — looked interesting at first, like Ray Bradbury meets David Lynch, then just sort of drifted off into, well, WHAT?And yikes, what happened to Jennifer Grey? You may not be able to put Baby in a corner, but you sure can give her so much plastic surgery that she can go from unusual-but-hot-looking to utterly unrecognizable and forgetable.It's every Jewish girl's prerogative to get a nose job! :tongue: Frankly, I never thought she was that hot-looking before OR after the surgery.

Oh, I thought she was cute as heck in Dirty Dancing, and very sexy!

I got the same feeling from Carnivale — looked interesting at first, like Ray Bradbury meets David Lynch, then just sort of drifted off into, well, WHAT?

Yeah, that last season - I don't think the writers knew where they were going.

To me, one of the most interesting actors Milch has used in both series is Garret Dillahunt. Not only does he play Dr. Smith in John From Cincinnati, but he played two entirely different characters in Deadwood - Jack McCall in the first season and Francis Wolcott in Season 2.

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/thumb/5/5d/100px-Garrett_Dillahunt_-_Jack_Macoll.jpg

http://www.legendsofamerica.com/photos-oldwest/FrancisWolcott.jpg

And he was also on one or two seasons of "The 4400".

Continuing the Christ line of thinking?

Anybody else get the feeling that the hotel manager, lawyer and... crazy rich guy... could be compared to the Three Kings? There's also the episode titles "His Visit Day xxx". The fact he can produce seemingly anything someone needs from his pocket when asked (money, cell phone, credit card, etc...) seems to point towards one of Christ's Miracles.

I also agree that the use of such harsh language, specifically from John, comes across as incongruous with the possible Christ Motif that they seem to be pointing us towards.

In the long view, tho, I'm leaning more towards John being an alien, not the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. It doesn't really add up, because He wouldn't be that naive nor would He curse so much, even if it were to "fit in" with the locals.

As perplexing and frustrating as this show can be I find myself tuning in because I'm drawn to the actors (i.e. the characters). We'll see how long my interest holds.

[QUOTE=Zorro To me, one of the most interesting actors Milch has used in both series is Garret Dillahunt. [/QUOTE]

Yeah, Dillahunt is terrific. He's got a supporting role in the Coen Brothers' adaptation of "No Country for Old Men."

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/nocountryforoldmen/

I have watched each episode hoping JFC could entertain me and make me think. It has suceeded in making me think but the acting is so wooden and / or over the top + the actors seem to have such blocky, amatuerish movements! I find it very anoying. The actors are better than this and it seems so obviously bad I wonder if its done on purpose! (for some reason.) Like a high school play? Perhaps there is a point to it but it makes it hard to watch.

I believe we are watching a retelling of Stranger in a Strange Land. Some of the characters are the same and the story sort of fits. Anyone else see the resemblence? I will continue to watch for curiosity sake but my expectations are low. It seems like the creator (Milch) got free reign from HBO because Deadwood was good. This show is just...weird.

Rob, Way OT, But I just finished MCarthy's Pulitzer Prize winning "The Road" last night. Wife got me it for Fathers day and It took me a while to start it.
Un-frakkin believeable.
Not for the faint of heart or the midly depressed. Dark, Dark, DARK. Incredible book. Looks like I'll have to read this one before the movie comes out.

As perplexing and frustrating as this show can be I find myself tuning in because I'm drawn to the actors (i.e. the characters). We'll see how long my interest holds.



Yeah, Dillahunt is terrific. He's got a supporting role in the Coen Brothers' adaptation of "No Country for Old Men."

http://www.apple.com/trailers/miramax/nocountryforoldmen/

Yeah, The Road is pretty grim -- although I found the ending to be quite hopeful and uplifting. But getting there... whew! One of the most poweful and memorable books I've read in a long time.

I would strongly suggest reading O.C.F.O.M. before seeing the film.

Anyway, getting back to J.F.C...

Yes, the performances are stylized, and I wouldn't expect this style of acting to be everyone's cup of tea. All I can say is it works for me.

This show is only likely to last one season, and I intend to enjoy it (and be frustrated by it) while it lasts.

The only regular on the show that seems slightly "off" to me is De Mornay. She's either too crazy or not crazy enough. Kai and Shaun are the real deal and not professional "actors" but they both have a naturalism that is appealing. O'Neill kills me every time he's on screen. Luis Guzman has always made me laugh. And Dayton Callie, along with Dillahunt, is another Deadwood alumnus who is just "fun" to watch. I've got no problem with the performances in this series.

The only regular on the show that seems slightly "off" to me is De Mornay. She's either too crazy or not crazy enough. Kai and Shaun are the real deal and not professional "actors" but they both have a naturalism that is appealing. O'Neill kills me every time he's on screen. Luis Guzman has always made me laugh. And Dayton Callie, along with Dillahunt, is another Deadwood alumnus who is just "fun" to watch. I've got no problem with the performances in this series.

Agree about De Mornay. I think most of the rest of the cast is great. The guy that plays John has grown on me, I thought he was too goofy at first, but he really sold the last episode.

But who was the dead guy in the hotel?!

But who was the dead guy in the hotel?!

The guy who bought the motel has a phobia about one of the rooms because of something traumatic that happened to him there. I'm assuming it's related to the dead guy. Why no one else seemed to notice the dead guy and why John was alternately at the motel and in the van, seemingly at the same time? :confused:

OK, I finally decided to read this thread and being a native from the southern Ohio area, I have to beg you to fix the thread title.

Cincinnati. 2 N's, 1 T..... We understand that non-locals tend to mess it up and we are a forgiving bunch.

Thank you for your support :wave:

Why no one else seemed to notice the dead guy and why John was alternately at the motel and in the van, seemingly at the same time? :confused:

It was more complicated than that, at the same time he was passed out he "appeared" to Sissy, Cass, and Link with words of encouragement and/or to guide them. And at the same time he gathered all the major characters at the hotel, and made his speech. He said words to the effect they'd all remember being at the hotel and what he said, the look Butchie and Kai exchange at the end seem to confirm this. My guess is the guys in the van blew off their memory of being at the hotel as a dream since they were all asleep, since none of them mentioned it.

Still don't know who the dead guy was though, maybe next week!

I watched it for the 3rd time and am still puzzled. Perhaps bigger brains here at the board can explain. This show has no water cooler talk at my office, so this is my only source of knowledge.

The dead guy was Mr. Rollins who had a gay encounter with Barry, the new owner, in room 24, in the past. But Mr. Rollins wasn't really there because he was dead. Bill and Joe weren't there either since they were in the van with John. The guy who stabbed John was there, though and so was the guy from the diner who ran the Yost web page. Everyone was there or maybe not there but there was no sign of Mitch or Shawnie. Now that makes no sence at all...but

the speech made no sence either.
Mitch wiped out Sissy who wiped out Butchie. I get that. The lines and circles that are on the wall that are the word are now the ones and zeros inside the camera and the camera holds the word. I sorta get that. But thats all. Thats all I get.

I hope Milch knows being weird and confusing isn't the same as being smart and artful. If this doesn't turn into something, I will be mad. And No, I didn't care for Twin Peaks or Carnival...but I tried.

edited to add Butch using the racial word while describing the thing Tina might be doing was over the top offensive and completely uncalled for. 3 times he said as if to drive it home. I don't get it. It was very...raw and unnessasary imo -jim

I think the most important line in the speech was the first one, and the one that explains John's weird speaking style, "If my words are yours, can you hear my father?".

I thought like Jeff for the first few episodes, that John must be an alien because he's so odd. That one line pretty much changed my mind and makes me think there's going to be a religious explanation.

'Course, I initially thought everybody on Lost died in the plane crash, so what do I know?

Later:The show's official HBO website has some interesting insights and a transcript of the speech:

http://www.hbo.com/johnfromcincinnati/inside/season1/episode06.html

the speech made no sence either.

I dunno, I think it's more clear when you see the words in black & white (with a little editing for the TOS):


"If my words are yours, can you hear my Father? Can Bill know my Father, keeping his eye on me? Can I bone Kai and Butchie know my Father instead?

"My Father's shy doing his business. Kai helps my Father dump out. Bill takes a shot. Shaunie is much improved.

"Joe is a Doubting Thomas. Joe will save Not-Aleman. Joe will bring his buddies home. This is how Freddy relaxes. Cup-o'joe, and Winchell's variety dozen.

"Mitch catches a good wave. Mitch wipes out. Mitch wipes out Cissy. Cissy shows Butchie how to do that. Cissy wipes Butchie out. Butchie hurts Barry's head. My Father runs the Mega-Millions.

"Fur is big. Mud is big. The stick is big. The word is big. Fire is huge. The wheel is huge. The line and circle are big. On the wall, the line and circle are huge. On the wall, the man at the wall makes a man from the circle and line. The man at the wall makes a Word on the wall from the circle and line. The Word on the wall hears my Father.

"The zeroes and ones make the Word in Cass's camera. In the Word on the wall that hears my-Father-in-Cass's-camera, the good one Mitch catches doesn't wipe Cissy out. In the-Word-that-hears-my-Father, Cissy shows Butchie something else. In-my-Father's-Word, Cissy shows Butchie in Shaun. In-my-Father's-Word, Tina raises Shaun at lunch. In Cass's-camera, Butchie lays the court out for Barry, and Mister Rollins watches. In Cass's-camera, Butchie knows Kai kept the faith. In-my-Father's-Word, the Wave lifts them up.

"In Cass's camera, Bill doesn't bump his head on the stairs. In Cass's-camera, as long as he's being stupid, Bill gives Lois a kiss.

"In His-Word-in-Cass's-camera, the Internet is big. Nine-Eleven is big, but not every towel-head is eradicated. In His-Word, We are coming Nine-Eleven-Fourteen.

"In my-Father's-Word, Bill sees how Freddy relaxes. In Cass's-camera, Ramon wants to know who's hungry, in the courtyard and Room Forty-Five.

"In my-Father's-Word-to-come-in-Cass's-camera, Doctor Smith calls Ocean Properties. In Cass's-camera-to-come, my Father stares Not Aleman down, and Freddy sees Bill much-improved.

"You will not note my-Father's-Word, nor remember Cass's-camera, but you will not forget what we did here."

I think its cool you posted a transcript of the speech. I challange anyone to make sence of it. (even if you have spoiler info) I tried, I want to like it. I don't know Butchie, instead.

I think its cool you posted a transcript of the speech. I challange anyone to make sence of it. (even if you have spoiler info) I tried, I want to like it. I don't know Butchie, instead.

Try reading The Book of Revelations sometime. It don't make sence either.

I could give you a laundry list of things that don't make sence these days, I won't sence I'm pretty sure I'm still on double-secret probation :cool:

I think its cool you posted a transcript of the speech. I challange anyone to make sence of it.I don't watch the show, but reading the transcript certainly made me think of "Where we're from the birds sing a pretty song" and "I feel I know her, but sometimes my arms bend back" and even "I've got good news! That gum you like is going to come back in style."

I did love Twin Peaks. My wife's never seen it, but to my mind, she must, if only so she and I can discuss it (and so she'll recognize my references to it! :D). The only problem is that I cannot tell her how it ends (or rather, that it doesn't end), or she'll likely refuse to watch it.

Qapla'

SSB

I thought tonights episode was really good. While I still haven't quite made up my mind whether the show is absolutely brilliant, or incredibly pretentious, it's certainly not boring. And unlike 99% of whats on these days, it certainly makes you think.

One thing I am sure of, the acting is some of the best on TV right now. I thought Ed O'Neil was amazing in the scene where he attempts find out what exactly John means in the hotel room. The rest of the cast was pretty memorable too.

The last episode started so good! Camera flying birdseye view through the clouds. Bob Dylans Sign of the Times playing. As Imperial Beach awakened, JFC and Shawnie riding in waves from deep ocean! It was thrilling! My girlfriend started to cry.

I'm not clear on how to feel about the series. It is clearly meant to imspire and provke thought. I think we witnessed the birth of a new religion. Did the early christians know what the future would hold and how they would change the world?

But I'm not sure that's what it was all about. I'm willing to watch another season if HBO renews JFC. If not, that ending will have to stand alone. I hope when DVD is released, there is commentary to help explain things. How many MfM regulars watched the series? I'm curious what y'all thought!

I didn't realize it was the ending, so that kinda says it wasn't a great one.

Still, it was an ambitious effort, and I'd watch another season. There are still many questions unanswered, I still have no idea why Mitch is levitating and what that has to do with anything.

It was nice to see Mr Wu again. And Howard Hesseman.

Crap! I didn't know it was the last episode either - although I noticed there were no previews for next week. I ain't ready for it to be over, but maybe half the cast is needed back for the two hour Deadwood movie.

According to the show's Wikipedia entry, the series was cancelled yesterday (August 13) by HBO.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_from_cincinnati

Qapla'

SSB

Today's Variety confirms the show was cancelled but reiterates HBO's desire to continue its creative partnership with David Milch. No word on the previously proposed Deadwood wrap-up, but at this point it seems pretty unlikely.

Crap!

yeah. crap. This show was...different. I couldn't stop watching it or thinking about it.